Friday, December 20, 2013

Jesus is the Perfect Christmas Gift



“There has been born for you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord Luke 2:11”

I usually start shopping early in the year for Christmas gifts.  The presents I purchase may only cost a few dollars but I choose each one, not out of obligation, but with someone I love in mind.  I admit that I get excited thinking of the person ripping into brightly coloured paper and I always hope that they like what I give them.

When I think Christmas presents, I’m reminded how God sent his son to earth for us. While Jesus’ life was a costly gift, God sent him with his love for us in mind.   

God says to anyone who’ll listen: “There has been born for you…a Saviour…  Jesus really is the perfect personal gift!  He was given in love and that makes our Daddy God the perfect gift giver.

Can you imagine the joy our God gets when we truly understand that Jesus is the perfect gift for us? I really believe that He feels the most honoured when we rip into the wrapping paper of theology and tradition and fully embrace the gift of Jesus.

This is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and we plan and think about the gifts we give to loved ones.   At this time of year, may we remember that Jesus is the perfect gift given for us, not out of obligation, but out of the greatest love in existence.

Friday, December 13, 2013

The Busyness of Christmas



Have you noticed how these days seem to get shorter and each day is busier and busier?  

Maybe it’s the Christmas season or maybe it’s just life in general.

The only time when things slow down is when you are in a rush and the line up at Coles seems to be interminably long.  Or is that just me?

Amongst all the busyness of baubles, tinsel, shopping, gift wrapping and card writing we can forget to take a breather and really focus on the real meaning behind Christmas. 

 Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It’s the time when the creator of the universe came to earth as a little helpless baby.   

We also need to remember this is the time when God came to tell us that our lives are worth more than we can possibly imagine in our wildest dreams.  We matter to Him.  Not just that, each of us individually matter to God…   It’s easy to have an idea that God loves everyone but to really know that he loves each of us individually regardless of our shortcomings is nothing short of life changing.

When you get the opportunity, spend a moment thinking on these things.  After all, God is busy spending eternity thinking of ways to lavish his love on you.

Friday, December 6, 2013

God - The Ultimate Barrier Jumper



Today, I shared this quote on Facebook because it really spoke to me of God’s love. 

"We thought He was the God who couldn't get over our sin... all along He was the Father who couldn't get over His children" Mary-Anne Rabe

I had one friend ask me what it meant and this was my answer:

This world thinks that God hates us in our sinfulness and that our misdeeds are a huge barrier between us and Him. This statement says that we all sin and in our opinion, our sins may be an impassable barrier but our Daddy God jumped over that barrier to get close to us because He is in love with us, His children.

When God sent Jesus to earth, He provided a way for us to get close to Him, where in the past, there was no way.   

God was so determined that we know of His love for us, that he didn’t even spare His own son.  All He asks is for us to trust His love and believe in the sacrifice of His Son. He hasn’t asked much in return, has he?

Friday, November 29, 2013

Resting in Jesus



“Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28 

This would have to be one of my favourite verses.  

I think all of us get tired from time to time.  Like everyone, I get physically, mentally and emotionally tired.   And it’s in those times; I try to remember Jesus’ promise to me, that if I go to him I will get rest.

What does rest mean? We might physically lie down but our minds can continue to churn with all the stresses and worries that life brings. This churning of problems over and over again is anything but restful!  

To me, rest means to focus on Jesus, to worship him and to remember my daddy God’s greatest passion was for me to know him. It is only when I do these things that I feel Jesus’ arms around me as he lifts me and carries me. 

While your family or friends may break their promises, Jesus will never break a promise, and when he promises to give me rest, I believe him.

What do you think?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Thinking about the Lord’s Prayer – Kingdom Come

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen

If we have been in church for more than a few years, we know the Lord’s Prayer by heart and often recite it by rote.  Lately I’ve been thinking about the different parts in the prayer and today I wanted to share my thoughts on the part in the prayer where we say “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.

I wonder if any of us ever really stop and think what it means for God’s will to done and his kingdom to come in our lives.   

I personally think God’s will is for us to come in agreement with him about our standing in his sight.    Over and over in the Bible, he says we are his beautiful children; truly blessed, deeply loved and highly favoured.  I honestly believe God loves each of us so much that he willingly stretched out his hands, allowed nails to be driven into his palms, and took our sins on his body because he would rather suffer a torturous death than for any one of us to spend another minute out of his presence. 

To me, living each day in God’s presence is bringing his kingdom to earth.   

What do you think?